Scottish indie broadcaster to replace BBC?

A new Scottish Broadcasting Service funded by the Scottish share of BBC licence fee income could be established if the nation votes for independence in next year’s referendum.

The Scottish National party said in its 600+ page independence policy paper that it would institute the SBS as a joint venture with the BBC, replacing BBC Scotland as the country’s licence-fee funded public service broadcaster on TV, radio and online from the start of 2017.

BBC shows such as EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing would still be available in Scotland via the SBS/BBC joint venture, the SNP is proposing.

The SNP pledged that after independence Scottish viewers and listeners would continue to have access to all current TV channels – including ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – and radio stations at no additional cost and it would respect existing charters and broadcast licences.

The SNP is proposing that BBC1 and BBC2 would continue to be available in Scotland, with the SBS having the right to opt-out, as BBC Scotland already does.